Nurse’s legacy lives on through holiday stocking donations at Lurie Children’s Hospital

Dozens of volunteers spent the weekend stuffing stockings with thoughtful and curated gifts for patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital.

On Monday morning, they delivered the gifts to nearly 60 children and their families who are spending the holiday season at the hospital’s cardiac unit.

“Being in the hospital is terribly hard no matter the time of year, but especially around the holidays when people are gathering with their friends and families and loved ones,” said Rae Rzucidlo, director of care operations for the unit. “So any amount of joy we can bring the children really lifts their spirits and their family’s spirits.”

The volunteers joined forces with Nancy’s Stockings, an organization that began nine years ago following the death of Nancy Koster.

Koster started as a nurse at the hospital on the cardiac floor in 1976. She worked her way up to become a clinician and educator before a battle with cancer.

“Nancy was always the Christmas stockings one in the family, so we came up with the idea, maybe we put some stockings together for the kids and the families,” said Kevin Koster, Nancy’s husband. “I am sure she’s looking down on this and smiling ear to ear.”

For the past nine years, her family has carried on the tradition to make spirits bright for young patients.

“It’s so inspiring to see her family give back to the hospital,” said Genevieve Frey, executive director of the Heart Center.

Frey worked with Nancy for six years prior to her passing.

“Nancy was an absolute delight,” she said. “They honor her legacy in a way that is truly moving.”